Tokyo, Japan: Where to Eat, Shop, and Relax

Hello friends! In case you missed it, I recently found myself in Tokyo, Japan for a few days. My trip was a relaxing change of pace— rather than bustling around Weinan and teaching tiny children, I had a weekend all to myself, filled with peace and quiet. During my time in Tokyo, I did not go to many tourist sites, opting instead to spend my time wandering around parks, book stores, and farmers markets. The city made a lasting impression on me and I hope to visit again someday soon. In the meantime, I thought I would share my Tokyo recommendations as well as a vlog! I hope you enjoy!

where to eat

Ah, yes, the best part of any vacation— the food. I must admit, I greatly prefer Japanese food to Chinese food, so I had a lovely time sampling the many delicacies of Japan. On one of my first nights in Tokyo, I opted to visit a small, local restaurant called Inagaki. Despite being the only foreigner in the restaurant, I was welcomed with open arms, and served an incredible meal. I am not one to take risks when it comes to my food, but I ended up asking the waitress to bring me her favorite meal. I ended up eating salmon fried soba noodles, and they were delicious. I highly recommend stopping by Inagaki if you want a truly local experience. It’s open until midnight, too, which makes it ideal for a late night snack.

The next restaurant isn’t exactly Japanese, but it is incredibly delicious. As I’ve been living in a rural Chinese town, burgers are a bit difficult to come by. My only option for the past few months has been Burger King— tasty, but not quite as good as a freshly seared, handmade hamburger. My craving for American food led me to The Great Burger, a chic restaurant located in the Harajuku area. I found myself ordering a simple burger with a side of fries. They even had Rootbeer— my favorite soda! Even though it wasn’t a true Japanese meal, I adored my food at The Great Burger. It offered a small taste of home, and a reminder of what is waiting for me in rural North Carolina.

where to shop

I found the shopping in Tokyo to be amazing! Not only did I find goodies at my favorite tried-and-true American brands, I was able to shop at a few Japanese brands. My favorite area to shop was Cat Street in Harajuku. Walking amongst the shops was quite peaceful. I had expected to be surrounded by hundreds of tourists, but instead found a quiet shopping hub, filled with both western and Japanese brands. I was pleasantly surprised to find a number of thrift stores in the area as well. While I did not purchase anything, I adored sifting through the plethora of vintage sweatshirts and flannels. I even found a UNC sweater, which made me smile!

If I could give one store all of my money, it would have to be Niko and…. This store seems to be the Japanese Urban Outfitters, but with more affordable prices. I ended up purchasing a cool tee from the men’s section, featuring the logo of one of the Japanese football teams. Besides grabbing gifts for friends and family, I also purchased a reusable bag and some Christmas goodies! I fell in love with this brand and will definitely return when I visit Tokyo again.

Another incredible shopping center is located right near the Tokyo Skytree— the Tokyo Solamachi Town. As I was staying within walking distance, I found myself exploring here on more than one occasion. I particularly enjoyed Marks & Web, a Japanese skincare company with an all-natural focus. I ended up buying peppermint lip balm and rosemary face mist. I also ended up purchasing a few goodies from the Urban Research Store, which seems to be popular in Japan. I picked up to coolest green turtleneck as well as a little snow globe from here. Even though I look a bit like an elf in my turtleneck, it makes me quite happy.

If you are a fabric junkie like my grandmother, my mother, and I, you should definitely stop by the Nippori Fabric Town. The streets are lined with adorable fabric stores, and I ended up buying meters on meters of material for my mom and grandmother! My favorite store was Tomato, which had five floors dedicated to all different kinds of fabric. I wish I could have spent more time exploring there.

where to relax

I spent most of my time in Japan relaxing, whether it be inside a museum or in a quiet park. One of my favorite places I visited was Yoyogi Koen. I spent a few hours here lying in the sun, enjoying the fall foliage and the duck-filled pond. I had been missing the stunning colors of the leaves in NC, so I got a taste of Autumn while I relaxed in the park. Another park I loved was Inokashira Park. It even has a little zoo attached (with some ADORABLE Mandarin Ducks!)

I also enjoyed wandering around the Tokyo Farmers Market. If you find yourself in the city on Saturday or Sunday, be sure to spend time at the Farmers Market. I adored talking with the local venders and admiring the fresh produce. I wish I could have bought some!

If you’re looking for a quiet way to spend an afternoon, I recommend stopping by the Tokyo Museum of Photography. On my last day in Tokyo, I wandered around the exhibits and enjoyed the beauty of the artwork surrounding me. It reminded me of my dad, who is also a photographer. When I bring my parents to Tokyo, I’ll definitely bring them here to enjoy the artwork!

where to stay

I ended up staying at Playsis East Tokyo, a small hostel located within walking distance of the Skytree. Not only was it affordable, it was also chic and cute! There’s a skytop lounge with a stunning view of the Skytree, and the beds are quite private and comfy. I definitely enjoyed staying here and would love to stay again.